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Feist Wins 2012 Polaris Prize, Responds by Hiding Under Table

Feist / Photo by Getty Images

In perhaps the most anti-Kanye move in the history of award receiving, when Feist’s Metals was named the winner of the 2012 Polaris Music Prize — a Canadian honor for recorded music that comes with $30,000 — last night, the singer/songwriter first hid under her table, then announced it was her “worst fear.”

According to the CBC, 36-year-old Leslie Feist eventually made her way the podium to receive a comically oversized check, where she said, “You’d think from a lifetime of terrible speeches I would remember at one point to write something down, but I never do because it seems presumptuous to prepare.” (The statement included in the official press release about the event is equally charming: “Polaris is asking me for a quote… I haven’t had a second to consider how to talk about this yet, but what I want to say is thank you to the people who really listened to my record. I’m genuinely grateful from one solitary listener to another. Honestly, thanks.”) The CBC has a great photo of Feist looking humble while posing with her novelty check, as well.

Feist performed two songs from her victorious album at the Toronto event, “Caught a Long Wind” and “The Bad in Each Other.” If you missed the online stream on MuchMusic.com, the Canadian network will be airing a one-hour special September 29 at 10 p.m. ET.

Metals defeated Japandroids’ Celebration Rock, Drake’s Take Care, Grimes’ Visions, Fucked Up’s David Comes to Life, and five other contenders. The winner is selected by a panel of 10 journalists and broadcasters.